UNION Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin, accompanied by Nay Pyi Taw Council Member U Myint Soe and other officials, yesterday inspected religious buildings and cultural structures in Nay Pyi Taw that were damaged by the Mandalay earthquake.

The inspection began in Aungthukha Village, Pobbathiri Township, where ten ancient pa­godas located within the monas­tery compound were reported to have suffered damage due to the quake. The Union minister also inspected the condition of an­cient Bagan-style pagodas in the Nyaungpingyisu village-tract, and the damage sustained by the Boeminchantha Stupa within the compound of the Maha Viji­tayon Buddhist Learning Centre in Zabuthiri Township.

During the visit, discussions were held on the current status of donations received and the procedures to be followed for the prompt restoration of the damaged pagodas, stupas, and religious buildings.

Later, the Union Minister and his team paid homage to the senior monks of the Maha Viji­tayon Buddhist Learning Cen­tre. They also briefed the monks on the extent of the damage to the Boeminchantha Stupa, the Ministry’s plans to allocate res­toration funds, and efforts being made to raise further donations from the public. — MNA/MKKS